Re: [FWDLK] Seat Belts and windbags Plus statistics!

Air bags only increase chance of survival about 19% over seatbelt usage when used with a seat belt. On their own they are only about 9% effective. A seat belt on its own is about 50%. The problem with the statistical data is its only really tabulated in detail for accidents where someone dies. So, it doesn't really go to reduced injuries. The statistical analysis is pretty wild. There is good article at http://www.nber.org/papers/w7210.pdf but please note it is written at a high mathematical level (ie greek with hieroglyphics). Anyway, the one point I thought was interesting is your survival rate with an airbag is best in a front end collision. Your survival rate is negative if you are rearended. That is to say more people have been killed by the bag in a rearend collision than have been saved. Also of note is lifestyle. People who drink and drive, speed and are risk taking under 25er's do! n't use seatbelts as much and can't necessarily afford newer cars with air bags. (This is U.S. data Australia data concluded the same general result).